Food matters

Everyone should have a go-to sangria recipe in his or her cocktail repertoire. Sangria, when done right, can be a highly refreshing punch that is at home any time of the year. Sangria can be enjoyed on its own and sipped on a lazy, sunny afternoon, or paired with a delicious meal. Sangria recipes also…

Sweet yet savory ground meat served on a bun is a comfort food classic that has been a staple for restaurants and home cooks for decades. Sloppy Joes are beloved sandwiches that feature meat paired with a lip-smacking, tomato-based sauce. Some attribute the original Sloppy Joe to a cafe in Sioux City, Iowa, where in…

Vegetables and pasta dishes are a staple of the Lenten season, and seafood also serves as a popular substitute for meats and poultry. As parents of picky eaters can attest, encouraging children, particularly toddlers or early grade-schoolers, to dig into a seafood meal can be a struggle. However, fish sticks can make a fish dinner…

Saturday, Mar. 19 — LUDLOW — The Ludlow Rotary Club and the United Church of Ludlow are combining efforts to raise money for humanitarian relief of the besieged people of the Ukraine on Saturday, Mar. 19 at the United Church, located at the corner of Elm and Pleasant streets. According to George Thomson, they plan…

Pi Day is officially March 14 but you can celebrate anytime. Whether you are hosting a small group at home or have been invited to someone’s house to socialize, offering a homemade treat can show others how much you care. Few people can resist the combination of chocolate and nuts, and that’s what dessert lovers…

By Joyce Amsden It’s midwinter and you reach into your paper bag of carefully stored garlic. You pull out a bulb and see a sprout emerging from the top. There is nothing wrong. It is the nature of garlic cloves to sprout at this time of year. The problem is that over the next weeks…

It’s customary for people participating in Lenten fasting to skip meat and poultry dinners on Fridays between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday. It is a sacrifice symbolic of the sacrifices of Jesus Christ. However, opting for vegetables and fish in lieu of meats doesn’t have to mean sacrificing flavor. Seafood pancakes from “Judy Joo’s Korean…

School is in session and that means busy families may be in need of a few meal solutions that fit into their schedules — particularly items to grab on the way to school or work. Granola bars often fit the bill as nutritious options in portable packages. While store-bought granola bars are convenient, they tend…

Sweet potatoes are a beloved side dish come the holiday season, as they make for the perfect complement to turkey and roasts. Despite the popularity of sweet potatoes, some misconceptions about them have prevailed. The terms “sweet potato” and “yam” often are used interchangeably, but they actually are two different plants. Sweet potatoes, according to…

Dessert is often the culmination of Valentine’s Day festivities. Couples can enjoy decadent desserts while out on the town, but waiting to indulge until you arrive home gives couples time to digest and savor the rich flavors more completely. Of course, when it comes to Valentine’s Day desserts, chocolate must make an appearance. This recipe…

Warming up on cold days can be a challenge. Bundling up near the fireplace is one way to keep warm, as is dining on hearty meals that have staying power. Chili is a cold-weather staple that is full of delicious, fresh ingredients. A little chili goes a long way, and it can be spiced up…

Cheese is a comfort food that boasts a sizable fan base. There are all sorts of appealing cheeses to cater to any craving, ranging from soft varieties like ricotta or brie to hard cheeses like pecorino romano or gorgonzola. Cheese features prominently in many dishes, including quiche. Quiche is a rich, cheese custard tart that…

RANDOLPH— The holidays are meant to be enjoyed, so it’s not what we do one or two days a year that matters for our overall health. It’s about eating well again following those days. However, for those trying to avoid over-indulging, Gifford Medical Center’s registered dietician Stacy Pelletier has some tips to share: “Enjoy the…

The cozy pub is a welcome addition to downtown Fair Haven By Brooke Geery FAIR HAVEN—Rachel and Jon Meigs are finally getting started on their next act, with a new brew pub at 71 Main St. in Fair Haven. The couple, who previously worked at Rutland Regional Medical Center — Rachel in ultrasound and Jon…

By Curt Peterson Vicky Allard and her husband, Joe Hanglin, grew up at two extremes within the United Kingdom yet ended up in Grafton, Vermont — population 600 or so. Food was paramount in both of their childhoods — Vicky as a third-generation sustainable land-to-table farm girl, and Joe immersed in Spanish, North African and…